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Restarted PC after it crashed (don't know why). Started up as usual. Have wallpaper - but nothing else on desktop - no icons, no start, no task bars. Cannot right click. However, CTR ALT DEL brings up task manager no problem, and everything else seems to work just fine if accessed through that.

When restarting - there is a fraction of a moment when you can see the taskbar - but then gone.

Have run virus checks - clean. Have defragmented. Have followed various recommendations found on net - made no difference whatsoever.

Seems like it should be something sooooo simple.

I notice there are a LOT of processes running (99 compared to my hardworking laptop's 50). This computer is almost new and have installed virtually no programs and barely used the thing!

1. After download, double click on the file to launch the install process. 2. Choose a language, click "OK" and then click "Next". 3. Read the "License Agreement" and click "I Agree". 4. Accept the default installation path: C:\Program Files\AVG Anti-Spyware 7.5 and click "Next", then click "Install". 5. After setup completes, click "Finish" to start the program automatically or launch ewido by double-clicking its icon on your desktop or in the system tray. 6. The main "Status" menu will appear. You can select "Change state" to inactivate 'Resident Sheild' and 'Automatic Updates'. If you choose to do this, then right click on ewdio in the system tray and uncheck "Start with Windows". 7. Select the "Update" button and click "Start update". If you are having problems with the updater, manually update with the Ewido Full database installer from here. 8. Exit AVG Anti-Spyware 7.5 when done - DO NOT perform a scan yet.

Reboot your computer in "SAFE MODE" using the F8 method so Windows will start with minimal drivers and running processes. To do this restart your computer and after hearing your computer beep once during startup [but before the Windows icon appears] press the F8 key repeatedly. A menu will appear with several options. Use the arrow keys to navigate and select the option to run Windows in "Safe Mode".

Run ATF CleanerDouble-click ATF Cleaner.exeUnder Main choose: Select AllClick the Empty Selected button.Click Exit on the Main menu to close the program.

Under "How to act?", click on "Recommended actions" and choose "Quarantine" to set default action for detected malware.

Under "How to Scan?" check all (default).

Under "Possibly unwanted software" check all (default).

Under "What to Scan?" make sure "Scan every file" is selected (default).

Under "Reports" select "Automatically generate report after every scan and UNcheck "Only if threats were found".

2. Click the "Scan" tab to return to scanning options. 3. Click "Complete System Scan" to start. 4. When the scan has finished you will be presented with a list of infected objects found. Click "Apply all actions" to place the files in Quarantine. 5. Click on "Save Report" to view all completed scans. Click on the most recent scan you just performed and select "Save report as" - the default file name will be in date/time format as follows: Report-Scan-20060620-142816.txt. Save to your desktop. A copy of each report will also be saved in C:\Program Files\AVG Anti-Spyware 7.5\Reports\ 6. Exit AVG Anti-Spyware 7.5

Reboot your compuer.

*********************

Disable your antivirus program and go here http://www.bitdefender.com/scan8/ie.html and run an online scan with BitDefender (you will need to use Internet Explorer for this scan). When the ActiveX Control has loaded, click on "Click here to scan" and grab a coffee.

When BitDefender completes the scan, select the "Detected Problems" tab. Click on "Click here to export scan". Save the file as an HTML to your Desktop. Then click on the saved file and allow it to open with your browser. Go to Edit - Select All then copy/paste that log back here. Post the BitDefender log.

*********************

You are using an outdated version of hijackthis.

Please download the latest version from the following link:

HijackThis Download Site with installerJust click on Hijackthis_sfx.exe file that you downloaded. A WinZip self extractor screen appears with the default location of C:\Program Files\Hijackthis.Then press the Unzip button. Then close the Self-Extractor window.

Using My Computer/Windows Explorer, navigate to C:\Program Files\HijackThis and double click on HijackThis.exe to run it.

If you would like to make a shortcut for your Desktop so it's more easily accessable, right click HijackThis.exe and choose Send To > Desktop (create shortcut).Please run the extracted HijackThis.exe from now on.

When done, submit the AVG Anti-Spyware 7.5 log, the BitDefender log and a fresh Hijackthis log.

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Due to inactivity, this thread will now be closed. If you need this topic reopened, please contact a member of the HJT Team and we will reopen it for you. Include the address of this thread in your request. If you should have a new issue, please start a new topic. This applies only to the original topic starter. Everyone else please begin a New Topic.

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OK so far have followed instructions - ran atf & avg anti-spyware.
Have discovered that not everything is working as I thought - cannot open internet explorer now matter how I try. So - cannot do next step BitDefender. Shall I carry on with everything else?

The AVG Anti-Spyware report look very small. It should have removed cookies. Did you run AVG Anti-Spyware in the Safe Mode? It is necessary to use Safe Mode to remove the malware. If you did not run it in the Safe Mode, please go run do it again. Be sure to follow the directions in my previous post.

Do you know what these are? C:\APPS\Ibiza\PB_Ibiza_StandBy.exe C:\APPS\FILTER\USBFil.exe USBFIL.ini C:\APPS\EmailChecker\ech.exe

If you do not know what they are, then find the files, rt. click to see the Properties and tell me what it says.

If you have a firewall installed, turn it off and see if you can get IE to run.

If you can open Internet explorer, go to Microsoft's windows update siteand download and install Internet Explorer 7. It has many new features and is more secure than IE6. Then see if you can do the BitDefender Online scan. Follow the directions in my previous post.

If you still cant open IE, run Microsoft's System File Checker program. You will probably be asked to install the Windows Install CD, so have it ready.

Go to Start, then Run, type sfc /scannow in the run box and press enter.

Note: There is a space between sfc and the forward slash. Windows will ask you for your Windows Install CD so put it in...don't worry if the XP setup screen appears, this isnot a part of sfc /scannow, your autorun utility in Windows is starting it. Simplyminimize the screen and allow sfc to continue.

Edited by SifuMike, 18 November 2006 - 02:49 PM.

If I've saved you time & money, please make a donation so I can keep helping people just like you! You can donate using a credit card and PayPal. Thank you!

Asking for help via Private Message or Mail will be ignored - So If you need help, post your problem in the forum.

Have run AVG again in safe mode.
Found nothing.
Don't forget though, that I had tried several things to fix this problem before asking for help on this forum, including running antivirus and antisypware programs. They did pick things up and eliminate them.

C:\APPS\EmailChecker\ech.exe
created 3/8/2006
modified 2/7/2003
accessed 6/11/2006
version 1.3.0.1
company nec computers international

Firewall - have Windows firewall as far as I know. The thing is, I don't know how to turn this off unless I am in control panel, and I don't know how to find control panel without the start menu...

Internet Explored - no progress with opening

System File Checker - hhhmmm I am not very good at navigating my way around the pc without the usual menu functions. I don't know where Run is without the Start menu. Can you send me in the right direction?

Those files I asked you to list are all OK, as they were installed months ago and list the owners names.

I dont think this is a malware problem. Probably a damaged system file.

Restarted PC after it crashed (don't know why). Started up as usual. Have wallpaper - but nothing else on desktop - no icons, no start, no task bars. Cannot right click. However, CTR ALT DEL brings up task manager no problem, and everything else seems to work just fine if accessed through that.

Is there any change in your problem? You still have no icons, start button and task bars?

1. Download this file - combofix.exe2. Double click combofix.exe & follow the prompts. 3. When finished, it shall produce a log for you. Post that log in your next reply

Notes:Do not mouseclick combofix's window while it's running. That may cause it to stall Disable script blocking if you have Norton Antivirus installed so it will not interfere with the fix. Trojan Hunter has been reported to detect combofix as Worm.Qiv.100. ComboFix will create a folder called QooBox in C: (C:\QooBox). It will contain any folders that were quarantined.

Edited by SifuMike, 20 November 2006 - 04:31 PM.

If I've saved you time & money, please make a donation so I can keep helping people just like you! You can donate using a credit card and PayPal. Thank you!

Asking for help via Private Message or Mail will be ignored - So If you need help, post your problem in the forum.